Andrew Zimmern and the Lucky Cricket Controversy, Explained

On the latest episode of the Eater Upsell podcast, we untangle the controversy that has circled the opening of Andrew Zimmern’s first sit-down restaurant, Lucky Cricket. From telling Fast Company that he would save “the souls of all the people from having to dine at these horseshit restaurants masquerading as Chinese food that are in the Midwest,” to the backlash and fumbled apology that followed, Zimmern has been at the center of a controversy centered on questions of appropriation and respect.

Joining us is Eater NY editor Serena Dai, who talks about how Lucky Cricket plays into historic stereotypes regarding Chinese cuisine and people. Writer Soleil Ho calls in to talk about her experiences dining at the restaurant — from poorly executed fried rice to the weirdness of a restaurant touting its authentically Chinese flavors to be with tiki kitsch.

Listen on Apple Podcasts and subscribe.